You may ask "how does a child qualify for sponsorship?" The answer is that most children in Africa qualify for sponsorship, however there is still a process that has to be followed.
Before any child is selected, they must meet the following criteria:
- Children must be between the classes of Nursery to Primary 3.
- No children over the age of 12 years should be selected unless the sponsor has specifically requested the child.
- Only 1 child per family should be selected, to ensure as many families as possible benefit from the scheme .
- Those selected must be permanent residents in their village.
- If a large number of children are being sponsored from one area/school, an equal number of boys and girls should be chosen.
- Of course, children in greatest need / orphans should be given first priority.
When the children have been selected from the school, the sponsorship team visits the school to explain to the teachers, parents/guardians and children involved, how the sponsorship programme works.
A speech is delivered on the rules and regulations of the child sponsorship programme, and what the child will receive e.g. they get a uniform once a year, at Primary 2 they get 4 books and 4 pencils, at Primary 3 they get 7 books and 3 pencils/3 pens, etc. The parents/guardians/teachers will get the chance to ask questions to the sponsorship team.
An outline of the day is given and the information required by the sponsorship team is also explained: an Information History Form needs to be completed, and both the child and parents have to be present at the meeting to gather this information. This is simply to allow us to obtain information about the child and their family.
A picture is then taken of the child on their own, followed by a photo of them with their family (this can either be done on school grounds or at the family home).
Once the pictures have been taken, the children are then asked to write their letters to their proposed sponsor. If the children do not yet know who their sponsor is, they simply write 'Dear Friend'. They thoroughly enjoy this part of the programme as they get to write and draw, which all children love to do worldwide!